Jilted by Carla Laureano

Author:Carla Laureano [Laureano, Carla]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Laureano Creative Media LLC
Published: 2022-11-30T07:00:00+00:00

Despite what Bethany had told Derek, her body ached everywhere, from the scrapes on her arms and legs to the bruises that were already turning a brilliant shade of black and blue. Nothing she couldn’t hide under her customary chef’s whites, but ones she’d certainly have to answer to Mariska for.

The most pathetic thing was that every ache was worthwhile for the way Derek was now hovering in the periphery. Not to mention the experience of having his arms around her on the ruins. She might have lied to him about the severity of her injuries, but she’d be lying to herself if she said she wasn’t daydreaming up ways to make that happen again.

They were at the airstrip for only a few minutes before the helicopter appeared in the distance and then landed on the grassy pad in front of them. Bethany thanked Manuel for his help and tipped him a little extra beyond what he’d been paid through the booking agency, then climbed out of the car. She was acutely aware of Derek’s every move behind her.

“Welcome back,” Jason said when they climbed into the cabin’s seats. He did a double take when he saw Bethany’s injuries. “What happened?”

She threw him a wry twist of a smile. “For future reference, rain and the High Temple do not mix.”

The pilot winced. “We’ll have you back to Halcyon Caye in no time.”

The helicopter shifted as the skids left the ground, and Bethany caught her breath as she did every time. To cover, she looked at Derek.  “So, what do you want for dinner?”

“You’re still planning on cooking? You should go home and relax for a while. Soak in a bath maybe.”

She gave him a reproving look. “This is my job, remember? It may be a vacation for you, but I’m still expected to cook.”

“I couldn’t possibly eat anything for hours after those tacos. So you’re off the hook.”

“Maybe just dessert then?”

“Only if you join me.”

His tone was light and playful, but there was still something in his gaze that made the helicopter’s air conditioned interior feel small and stuffy. She swallowed and looked away. “We’ll see.”

“Bethany …” Derek placed a hand over hers on the seat, and she jerked—so violently that she knocked her backpack onto the floor, spilling items from the open zippered compartment. She scrambled to pick them up before he could help. The only way this day could get more embarrassing would be to have Derek handling her feminine products.

Wrong. She looked up and saw him holding a paperback book, a peculiar expression on his face. Her cheeks burned, and she snatched the book out of his hand to shove it back in the depths of her backpack.

“Why, Bethany Hall,” he drawled. “I never took you for a romance novel fan.”

The heat intensified. “It’s not what you think.”

“It’s not? You don’t just read them for the sexy bits?”

“No!” If her cheeks got any hotter, they would spontaneously combust.

“Why else does a woman who claims not to believe

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